Feb. 12, 2026, 1:50 p.m. ET
How close are the Indianapolis Colts to making their way back to the playoffs?
ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler recently put all 18 teams that missed the postseason this past year into various tiers, ranging from “no need to panic” all the way to “full-blown overhaul.”
So where did the Colts end up?
Well, Indianapolis wasn’t in either of those categories, but they did find themselves closer to the “no need to panic” section. Fowler put the Colts, along with several other teams, in the “a few moves away” tier.
“The Colts were 8-2 when fully healthy. QB Daniel Jones’ injury devastated the team,” wrote Fowler. “Coach Shane Steichen has a track record as an offensive head coach. Indy is stout at the skill positions and offensive line. DeForest Buckner and Sauce Gardner should be healthier this season and boost the defense.”
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Under GM Chris Ballard, the Colts haven’t made the postseason in five seasons. They’ve also only made the playoffs twice during his nine-year tenure and have only one playoff win with no division titles during that span.
So if you’re skeptical and remain in wait-and-see mode — I get it.
However, one can also see why Fowler put the Colts in this category. Along with Daniel Jones, the Colts dealt with injuries to other key players, which certainly impacted the outcome of the season.
With Jones specifically, when he was fully healthy, this was a very different Colts team than the one we saw down the stretch in 2025. The offense was one of the most productive in football. Presumably, he will be re-signed this offseason.
Then, around Jones, there is a good amount of talent on this roster at a variety of position groups.
The primary reason the Colts are running it back in 2026, despite another missed postseason, is that they believe they can replicate last season’s early success.
Now, with that said, there are real question marks as well. The run game wasn’t as effective down the stretch, and the pass rush needs more juice. Several starters from 2025 are set to be free agents as well.
This team also has to learn how to win those critical must-have-it games in December and January — something that the Colts have failed to do beyond just the 2025 season.
So with that, Fowler also highlighted why getting back to the playoffs could be a chore for the Colts in 2026.
“There’s no guarantee that changes, especially in a much-improved AFC South,” wrote Fowler. “The Colts lack a first-round pick because of the Gardner trade, and the defense could lose Nick Cross and Kwity Paye. It seems like the right time to take a swing on a free agent pass rusher. Alec Pierce would be a big loss if he signs elsewhere.”
Although the Colts are without a first-round pick, this team does have some flexibility, salary-cap-wise, to take a more aggressive approach in free agency, just as Ballard did last offseason.
Whatever moves are made, Ballard better be right. It’s now or never — we think.